Audio driver is also named sound card driver, which is a computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs.

To use a sound card, the operating system typically requires a specific device driver. This is a low-level program that handles the data connections between the physical hardware and the operating system.

Well-know Audio Driver Vendors

• Creative
• RealTek
• ESS

Recommended Audio Drviers

• Realtek ALC655 sound card driver
• Sound card driver: Realtek ALC880
• Drivers For Creative Audiopci (ES1371, ES1373) (WDM)

List of sound and game port drivers that are included in Windows XP

• ALi Labs WDM Audio Driver
  
  
• Aureal 8810
  Aureal 8820
  Aureal 8830
  
  
• Aztech Systems
  2320 Compatible (WDM)
  Game Port for Aztech
  Microsoft MPU-401 Audio Driver
  Reserved Device
  
  
• CH Technologies
  Game Port for CH Products Gamecard 3
  
  CirrusLogic 4281
  CirrusLogic 46xx/4280
  CirrusLogic ISA
  
  
• Conexant RipTide
  
  
• Creative Technology
  SB Live
  Sound Blaster 16 or AWE32 or compatible (WDM)
  Game Port for Creative
  
  Crystal Semiconductor
  Crystal WDM Audio Codec
  Crystal WDM Audio Control Registers
  Crystal WDM Game Port
  Crystal WDM MPU-401 compatible
  
  
• Ensoniq 1370
  Ensoniq 1371/1373
  
  
• ESS Technology
  ESS Maestro 2E (ES1978)
  ESS Maestro3 (ES1980)
  ESS PCI AudioDrive (Solo1)
  ES1688 AudioDrive (WDM)
  ES1688 Plug and Play AudioDrive (WDM)
  ES1788 AudioDrive (WDM)
  ES1788 Plug and Play AudioDrive (WDM)
  ES1868 Control Interface (WDM)
  ES1869 Plug and Play AudioDrive (WDM)
  ES1878 Control Interface (WDM)
  ES1879 Plug and Play AudioDrive (WDM)
  ES1887 AudioDrive (WDM)
  ES1887 Plug and Play AudioDrive (WDM)
  ES1888 AudioDrive (WDM)
  ES1888 Plug and Play AudioDrive (WDM)
  ES688 AudioDrive (WDM)
  ES688 Plug and Play AudioDrive (WDM)
  Game Port for ESS
  
  
• IBM
  ThinkPad Modem wave Device
  
  
• Intel ICH
  
  
• MediaVision, Inc.
  Game port for MediaVision
  
  
• Microsoft
  MPU-401 Compatible MIDI Device
  
  
• NeoMagic Corporation
  Neomagic_NM5
  Neomagic_NM6
  Standard Game Port
  
  
• Silicon Integrated Systems Corp.
  SiS 7018 Audio Driver
  
  
• ThrustMaster
  Game Port for ThrustMaster ACM (first port)
  Game Port for ThrustMaster ACM (second port)
  
  
• VIA Technologies, Inc.
  VIA AC'97 Audio Controller (WDM)
  
  
• Yamaha
  Game Port for Yamaha
  YAMAHA OPL3-SAx Reserved
  YAMAHA OPL3-SAx WDM Driver
  YAMAHA DS-1
  
  
• USB Audio Driver
  
  
• 1394 Driver